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XMT 350 CC/CV & Optima Pulse vs XMT 350 MPa

12-29-2007, 02:55 AM

Which is better, a XMT 350 CC/CV with an Optima Pulse control or a XMT 350 MPa? I ask this because I have the XMT 350 CC/CV and am considering combining it with a possible Optima purchase for use with my 30A Spoolmatic for use on thin (17 or 18 ga.) AL . Is the MPa a whole bunch better, or just the same?

Comment

I use a XMT 350 MPa with a 30A Spoolmatic on aluminum daily at work, mostly 1/8" Alum and thicker. It's a great machine, the thinnest I have welded is 14 ga Alum. (If I remember correctly)Should have used a spool of smaller filler but didn't have any, still seemed to work well though. I have no experience with the 350 CC/CV so I can't make a direct comparison, sorry.

Comment

I use a XMT 350 MPa with a 30A Spoolmatic on aluminum daily at work, mostly 1/8" Alum and thicker. It's a great machine, the thinnest I have welded is 14 ga Alum. (If I remember correctly)Should have used a spool of smaller filler but didn't have any, still seemed to work well though. I have no experience with the 350 CC/CV so I can't make a direct comparison, sorry.

Thanks very much for your reply. Have you ever used the 30A with a Miller Optima pulser connected to any power source? If so how did it compare with the pulser built into the MPa? I'm trying to decide whether to splurge on an Optima. I might get an Optima if it's pulse abilities are equal to or better than the MPa's.

Comment

You should contact the miller mig department directly. Ask them the differences between the mpa and optima pulsing programs. I'd betcha the mpa wins. Then if you don't believe them, contact your distributor and have them set it up and run it yourself.

-dseman

Comment

Your welding application is rather demanding, thin aluminum material. I would pick the XMT 350 MPa over the Optima. The MPa has a very stable arc at short arc lenghts, which is what you need for thin Aluminum.

If you going to just do a little project and never weld aluminum again, then go for the Optima and save some money. If your doing a big project and aluminum is becoming a material you weld frequently, go for the MPa, you will be much happier.

Thanks
Ken
Miller's XMT Product Manager

Comment

Your welding application is rather demanding, thin aluminum material. I would pick the XMT 350 MPa over the Optima. The MPa has a very stable arc at short arc lenghts, which is what you need for thin Aluminum.

If you going to just do a little project and never weld aluminum again, then go for the Optima and save some money. If your doing a big project and aluminum is becoming a material you weld frequently, go for the MPa, you will be much happier.

Thanks
Ken
Miller's XMT Product Manager

Ken,
How about comparing the MPa to the MM 350P on a wide range of aluminum from gage to plate? If we disregard the push/pull offering that the MM 350P has and used both with spoolguns, are they similar or is there a clear winner--and why?

thanks,
-dseman

Comment

Your welding application is rather demanding, thin aluminum material. I would pick the XMT 350 MPa over the Optima. The MPa has a very stable arc at short arc lenghts, which is what you need for thin Aluminum.

If you going to just do a little project and never weld aluminum again, then go for the Optima and save some money. If your doing a big project and aluminum is becoming a material you weld frequently, go for the MPa, you will be much happier.

Thanks
Ken
Miller's XMT Product Manager

Thanks Ken for the insider advice. That's just the info I was looking for; question answered.

Comment

The arc quality on both units is great and they both have the same material thickness range. The Millermatic 350 P is a commercial machine, meaning its great in most light manufacturing environments. The XMT 350 MPa is an industrial machine, it's designed for around the clock operation in some pretty nasty environments. I’s important to pick the right tool for the job and environment.

The Millermatic 350P is synergic, select the wire diameter, material type, and gas mix. Select the wire feed speed for the material thickness and start welding. The machine selects the proper pulse setting for that wire feed speed. Want to travel faster, or welding on thicker material, increase the wire feed speed. Want to go out of position or weld on thinner material decrease the wire feed speed, the machine does the rest.

The XMT 350 MPa is NOT synergic, select wire diameter, material type and gas mix. Then select voltage or arc length (your preference) to go along with your wire feed speed. This system operates like an standard mig system were you select wire feed speed and voltage. It give you a little more control. If you have a arc in mind, this machine might be a better pick, the synergic control of the MM 350P may not have the arc your looking for.

The spool gun work great with either system. However, the NEW Aluma-Pro push pull gun as works great with both units. Spool guns are a bit large to fit in some small places, and the Aluma Pro gun is easier on the welder.

Thanks
Ken
Miller's XMT Product Manager

Comment

The arc quality on both units is great and they both have the same material thickness range. The Millermatic 350 P is a commercial machine, meaning its great in most light manufacturing environments. The XMT 350 MPa is an industrial machine, it's designed for around the clock operation in some pretty nasty environments. I’s important to pick the right tool for the job and environment.

The Millermatic 350P is synergic, select the wire diameter, material type, and gas mix. Select the wire feed speed for the material thickness and start welding. The machine selects the proper pulse setting for that wire feed speed. Want to travel faster, or welding on thicker material, increase the wire feed speed. Want to go out of position or weld on thinner material decrease the wire feed speed, the machine does the rest.

The XMT 350 MPa is NOT synergic, select wire diameter, material type and gas mix. Then select voltage or arc length (your preference) to go along with your wire feed speed. This system operates like an standard mig system were you select wire feed speed and voltage. It give you a little more control. If you have a arc in mind, this machine might be a better pick, the synergic control of the MM 350P may not have the arc your looking for.

The spool gun work great with either system. However, the NEW Aluma-Pro push pull gun as works great with both units. Spool guns are a bit large to fit in some small places, and the Aluma Pro gun is easier on the welder.